Simon Commission In November 1927 itself (i.e., 2 years before the
schedule), the British Government announced the appointment a sevenmember
statutory commission under the chairmanship of Sir John Simon to
report on the condition of India under its new Constitution. All the members
of the commission were British and hence, all the parties boycotted the
commission. The commission submitted its report in 1930 and recommended
the abolition of dyarchy, extension of responsible government in the
provinces, establishment of a federation of British India and princely states,
continuation of communal electorate and so on. To consider the proposals of
the commission, the British Government convened three round table
conferences of the representatives of the British Government, British India
and Indian princely states. On the basis of these discussions, a ‘White Paper
on Consitutional Reforms’ was prepared and submitted for the consideration
of the Joint Select Committee of the British Parliament. The
recommendations of this committee were incorporated (with certain changes)
in the next Government of Inida Act of 1935.
Communal Award In August 1932, Ramsay MacDonald, the British Prime
Minister, announced a scheme of representation of the minorities, which
came to be known as the Communal Award. The award not only continued
separate electorates for the Muslims, Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians
and Europeans but also extended it to the depressed classes (scheduled
castes). Gandhiji was distressed over this extension of the principle of
communal representation to the depressed classes and undertook fast unto
death in Yeravada Jail (Poona) to get the award modified. At last, there was
an agreement between the leaders of the Congress and the depressed classes.
The agreement, known as Poona Pact, retained the Hindu joint electorate and
gave reserved seats to the depressed classes.
Government of India Act of 1935
The Act marked a second milestone towards a completely responsible
government in India. It was a lengthy and detailed document having 321
Sections and 10 Schedules.
Features of the Act
1. It provided for the establishment of an All-India Federation consisting of
provinces and princely states as units. The Act divided the powers
between the Centre and units in terms of three lists—Federal List (for
Centre, with 59 items), Provincial List (for provinces, with 54 items) and
the Concurrent List (for both, with 36 items). Residuary powers were
given to the Viceroy. However, the federation never came into being as
the princely states did not join it.
2. It abolished dyarchy in the provinces and introduced ‘provincial
autonomy’ in its place. The provinces were allowed to act as autonomous
units of administration in their defined spheres. Moreover, the Act
introduced responsible governments in provinces, that is, the governor
was required to act with the advice of ministers responsible to the
provincial legislature. This came into effect in 1937 and was discontinued
in 1939.
3. It provided for the adoption of dyarchy at the Centre. Consequently, the
federal subjects were divided into reserved subjects and transferred
subjects. However, this provision of the Act did not come into operation
at all.
4. It introduced bicameralism in six out of eleven provinces. Thus, the
legislatures of Bengal, Bombay, Madras, Bihar, Assam and the United
Provinces were made bicameral consisting of a legislative council (upper
house) and a legislative assembly (lower house). However, many
restrictions were placed on them.
5. It further extended the principle of communal representation by providing
separate electorates for depressed classes (scheduled castes), women and
labour (workers).
6. It abolished the Council of India, established by the Government of India
Act of 1858. The secretary of state for India was provided with a team of
advisors.
7. It extended franchise. About 10 per cent of the total population got the
voting right.
8. It provided for the establishment of a Reserve Bank of India to control the
currency and credit of the country.
9. It provided for the establishment of not only a Federal Public Service
Commission but also a Provincial Public Service Commission and Joint
Public Service Commission for two or more provinces.
